Amelia approached and sat on their usual bench. Leo ran to her and hugged her legs.
“Mommy! Daddy runs super fast!”
Amelia ruffled his hair.
“That’s because he has long legs.”
Daniel dropped down beside her, breathing deeply.
“I’m too old for this.”
Amelia laughed.
“You’re such a drama queen.”
He smiled sideways.
“You haven’t seen me when my back hurts yet.”
She shook her head and looked at Leo.
“He’s happy.”
Daniel looked at her gently.
“We are too.”
Amelia felt warmth in her chest. A year ago, she would never have imagined this moment — not with Daniel, not with the family they had rebuilt.
But here they were.
Not with a perfect ending.
Not with a guaranteed forever.
But with something much more real — the promise to keep trying.